A communicable disease is an infectious illness transmitted from one person to another. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites can cause communicable infections. The route of person-to-person transmission varies by the type of infectious agent and the area of the body infected. Healthy personal hygiene practices help prevent the spread of communicable diseases.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 700,000 American men and women contract gonorrhea each year. The bacteria can live in the womb, fallopian tubes, cervix, anus, mouth, throat and urethra--the tube that passes urine outside the body. Gonorrhea spreads from person to person via vaginal intercourse, anal sex and oral sex. Penile infection usually causes burning with urination and a urethral discharge. Most women have few or no symptoms associated with genital tract gonorrhea. Rectal infection may cause a pus-like discharge from the anus, anal itching and soreness, rectal bleeding and pain with bowel movements. Neisseria gonorrhoeae throat infection may cause soreness. Antibiotics cure gonorrhea; both the person diagnosed with the infection and his sexual partners must be treated.
Scalp Ringworm
Scalp ringworm, or tinea capitis, is a communicable infection of the scalp caused by the fungus Trichophyton tonsurans or a related species. The fungus spreads from person to person by direct contact or through shared items such as brushes, combs, hats, headscarves, towels and pillows. Merck Manuals notes that the hair usually breaks at the skin surface in infected areas of the scalp, causing bald spots. An intense inflammatory reaction occasionally occurs, causing a swollen scalp mass called a kerion. Poor hygiene and frequent sweating can increase the risk for scalp ringworm, which most commonly affects children. Medicated shampoo and oral antifungal medication clear scalp ringworm infections.
Common Cold
The common cold remains a ubiquitous communicable disease due to the highly contagious nature of the illness. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, at least 200 different viruses cause the common cold. The incidence of the common cold in the United States increases during the fall and winter months. During these months, children are in school and people spend more time indoors, which leads to frequent opportunities to spread cold viruses from person to person. Simple personal hygiene practices such as covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, avoiding touching the face, eyes and mouth and frequent hand washing help decrease the transmission of cold viruses.
Lice
Lice are non-flying insects that infest areas of the body with course hair. Three types of lice can infect the scalp, genitals and body. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that lice infections spread primarily through close personal contact. The hallmark symptom of lice infection is intense itching, caused by a skin reaction to lice bites. Treatment for lice depends on the site of infection.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Gonorrhea, CDC Fact Sheet
- Merck Manuals: Dermatophytoses, Tinea Capitis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Tinea Capitis
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Common Cold Overview
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology Online: Picornaviruses and Rhinoviruses
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